[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system":3,"chapter-the-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-the-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-chapter-53":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","The Exiled Duke's Lottery system",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1366761,1809,"Chapter 53 - 49: The Princess and the North","the-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-chapter-53",53,"\u003Cp>The room stayed silent for several long seconds after the word dragon was spoken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Princess Elena simply stared at the young investigator as if waiting for him to suddenly admit it was a joke made after too many sleepless nights in the snow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He did not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally she lowered the teacup slowly onto the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...An actual dragon?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, Your Highness.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You saw it personally?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The investigator nodded immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Several times.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That somehow made the situation worse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Morning sunlight filtered softly through the royal garden windows while distant palace servants moved quietly beyond the corridors outside, completely unaware that somewhere in the northern frontier a dragon was apparently sleeping on fortress walls like an oversized house cat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elena leaned back slightly in her chair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For once, she looked genuinely caught off guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...How is the kingdom not panicking already?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young investigator almost answered immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then paused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because honestly—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After spending time in Elarion, that question had become difficult to explain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They should be,\" he admitted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hesitated again before speaking carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It doesn’t feel... chaotic there.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The princess frowned slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What does that mean?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The investigator searched for the right words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The reports make it sound dangerous. And it is dangerous. But the territory itself feels stable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked toward the window briefly, remembering furnace smoke rising across snowy valleys.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alive, maybe.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elena listened quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The people trust him?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The answer came instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too instantly perhaps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The investigator realized that himself a moment later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The princess noticed too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint expression crossed her face before disappearing again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You respect him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...I don’t know him well enough for that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That wasn’t a denial.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young man suddenly understood why palace officials became nervous around intelligent royalty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He coughed awkwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The situation in the north is complicated.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So I’ve heard.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A small smile appeared briefly at the corner of Elena’s lips before fading again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then her expression softened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Was he truly poisoned?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The question sounded quieter now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Personal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The investigator remembered Lucien standing near the fortress gate beneath falling snow. Calm. Controlled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And somehow tired in a way difficult to explain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes,\" he answered honestly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"At least... I believe he was.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elena looked downward afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her fingers rested lightly against the edge of the untouched teacup while sunlight reflected faintly across the silver rings around her sleeves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He always looked exhausted during the last year in the capital,\" she murmured softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The investigator stayed silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because this no longer sounded like royal curiosity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She noticed eventually and straightened slightly again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Continue the report.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young man nodded quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The northern territory is industrializing rapidly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That word immediately drew her attention back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Industrializing?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He frowned slightly while remembering the workshops beneath Elarion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t fully understand everything they’re building. But there are furnaces operating day and night, expanded mining routes, steel production...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And experiments.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elena looked suspicious immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What kind of experiments?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Explosive ones.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That answer earned him a long stare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then unexpectedly—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The princess laughed quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not loudly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just enough to surprise him completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m sorry,\" she said while shaking her head faintly, \"I was trying to imagine Lucien managing explosions.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The investigator relaxed slightly seeing the tension ease from her expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He doesn’t actually seem surprised by them anymore.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That sounds concerning.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It probably is.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a few moments the atmosphere became lighter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then the princess asked quietly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did he ask about the capital?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The investigator thought carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something flickered across her eyes at that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brief disappointment perhaps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she hid it quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead she stood from her chair and walked slowly toward the open window overlooking the royal gardens below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Warm southern sunlight covered the palace grounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So different from the frozen north.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Elena.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The investigator nearly jumped hearing the voice from the doorway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prince Cassian entered the chamber moments later wearing formal dark noble attire lined with silver embroidery. Confident posture. Calm expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perfect royal appearance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until he noticed the investigator.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then his eyes sharpened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You returned already.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young man bowed immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Highness.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cassian glanced between both of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Northern reports?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elena answered calmly before the investigator could.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The prince walked further into the chamber afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young investigator suddenly felt like he’d walked into a dangerous room without warning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cassian’s smile remained polite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But something behind it felt cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Elena always worries too much about northern politics,\" the prince continued casually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I was simply curious,\" she answered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The prince looked back toward the investigator.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well then. Satisfy our curiosity.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young man hesitated very briefly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then chose his words carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Elarion is stabilizing rapidly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cassian’s expression did not change.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the silence afterward lasted slightly too long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Stabilizing,\" he repeated softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, Your Highness.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The prince walked toward the nearby table afterward before pouring himself tea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And Lucien?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There it was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The investigator suddenly understood why Seraphin distrusted southern nobles so much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The question sounded casual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it wasn’t.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He appears healthy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cassian smiled faintly into the tea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s fortunate.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No warmth behind the words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>None.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elena noticed too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room became quieter after that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Cassian asked lightly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And the rumors?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The investigator stiffened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Rumors, Your Highness?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Dragons. Industrial growth. Armed patrols.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cassian took another sip calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The capital has become very imaginative lately.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young man suddenly felt very aware of every word leaving his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"El... Elarion has grown stronger.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was safe enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Probably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cassian looked toward him for several seconds afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still smiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then finally nodded once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I see.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simple words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet somehow the investigator felt colder afterward than he ever had in the north.\u003C\u002Fp>",938,"2026-06-05T21:32:57.730Z",1,"novelbin.me","9e3e17c04d4bdf8f19cc24051b97e158d0c11034fca3d7aa790beaa9b2f6051c","the-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-chapter-54","the-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-chapter-52",144,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-exiled-duke-s-lottery-system-cover.jpg"]